News for 'Information and Broadcasting and Electronics'

Kannada Actor Darshan Visited By Wife In Prison

Kannada Actor Darshan Visited By Wife In Prison

Rediff.com3 days ago

Kannada actor Darshan's wife, Vijayalakshmi, visited him at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru, where he is lodged in connection with the Renukaswamy murder case. She was accompanied by their son, Vinish. The Karnataka High Court has also directed ministries to examine broadcasts related to the case.

Govt issues updated SOP for processing FDI applications

Govt issues updated SOP for processing FDI applications

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The Indian government has issued an updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for processing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) applications, aiming to clear all proposals within 12 weeks, a two-week extension from the previous 10-week target, to ensure a fully paperless and transparent process.

India Forms AI Governance Body to Steer National Strategy

India Forms AI Governance Body to Steer National Strategy

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

India has established a high-level inter-ministerial body, the AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG), to steer the country's national AI governance strategy. The AIGEG will coordinate policy across ministries and oversee cross-sectoral governance issues, supported by a Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC).

More Ministries May Get Online Content Blocking Powers

More Ministries May Get Online Content Blocking Powers

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

'We are considering this to ensure swift action on content for which the respective ministries have domain experts and can better determine the illegality of the content or the web site that needs to be taken down.'

India flags 'huge mountain of debt' in developed nations as matter of concern

India flags 'huge mountain of debt' in developed nations as matter of concern

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

The "huge mountain of debt" in developed economies and the risk of a possible unravelling is a matter of concern for India, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday, pointing to the recent spike in Japanese bond yields.

Ghooskhor Pandat row: Neeraj Pandey withdraws title, SC disposes of plea

Ghooskhor Pandat row: Neeraj Pandey withdraws title, SC disposes of plea

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court has disposed of a plea against the Netflix film 'Ghooskhor Pandit' after filmmaker Neeraj Pandey withdrew the title and promotional material. The court acknowledged Pandey's affidavit and expects the controversy to be resolved.

Govt nods Rs 7,280 cr scheme to push rare earth magnet manufacturing

Govt nods Rs 7,280 cr scheme to push rare earth magnet manufacturing

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

The government on Wednesday approved a Rs 7,280 crore scheme to promote manufacturing of rare earth permanent magnets, a move which would help reduce India's dependence on China.

'Block Live Telecast Of India-Pak Match In Asia Cup'

'Block Live Telecast Of India-Pak Match In Asia Cup'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday demanded blocking of live telecast of India-Pakistan match during the Asia Cup next month, citing national interest and public sentiment.

Maha set for first phase of local polls on Tuesday amid nomination issues

Maha set for first phase of local polls on Tuesday amid nomination issues

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections for municipal councils and nagar panchayats, marking the first phase of a Supreme Court-mandated process. The elections are seen as a key indicator of political sentiment following the BJP-led Mahayuti's victory in the assembly elections.

Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?

Is India Still Buying Russian Oil?

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Indian private sector and State-run refiners continued to receive crude oil from Russian suppliers even after November 21 -- the winding-down date for US sanctions on supplies from leading Russian oil producers imposed in October -- as new intermediaries sprung up in West Asia to sell the oil, according to senior refining sources and ship tracking data.

Cabinet nod for first digital caste census in 2027

Cabinet nod for first digital caste census in 2027

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved Rs 11,718 crore for conducting the Census of India, 2027, which would include the caste enumeration for the first time.

Ranbir's vaping scene in Ba***ds.. draws NHRC fire

Ranbir's vaping scene in Ba***ds.. draws NHRC fire

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has formally requested that authorities take action over a scene in the Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* featuring actor Ranbir Kapoor allegedly using an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) without a warning or disclaimer. The National Human Rights Commission has urged the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, to act, and asked the Mumbai Police Commissioner to register an FIR against Ranbir Kapoor, the production company, the producers and Netflix. The complaint claims the portrayal of Ranbir's character vaping in the series contravenes the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, and could negatively influence youth.

Centre blocks 25 OTT platforms for 'vulgar' content

Centre blocks 25 OTT platforms for 'vulgar' content

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

The ban is aimed at curbing the easy availability of pornographic material, particularly to minors, and ensuring that digital content remains within the bounds of decency and the law, they said.

Value-add target in new PLI scheme for electronics manufacturing may double

Value-add target in new PLI scheme for electronics manufacturing may double

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

In a move to deepen manufacturing in electronics in India, the Centre is targeting 35-40 per cent value-addition through the yet-to-be launched production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for electronics components, sources in the government

Meta apologises for Zuckerberg's remarks on Indian elections

Meta apologises for Zuckerberg's remarks on Indian elections

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had earlier called out the remarks made by Zuckerberg on the Joe Rogan podcast. "Mr. Zuckerberg's claim that most incumbent governments, including India in 2024 elections, lost post-COVID is factually incorrect," Vaishnaw had said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on January 13.

Parl panel seeks action against social media harming national interest

Parl panel seeks action against social media harming national interest

Rediff.com6 May 2025

A parliamentary panel has sought details from two key government ministries on actions planned against social media platforms and influencers who "seem to be working against national interest" following a recent terror attack in Pahalgam. The panel, headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, has asked the ministries of Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology to provide details of any contemplated action to ban such platforms under the IT Act 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. However, a member of the panel, Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale, has denied receiving any communication related to the issue and claims that the chairperson cannot issue a statement without the approval of the committee.

LS passes Bill to ban online money games, proposes 3-yr jail, Rs 1 cr fine

LS passes Bill to ban online money games, proposes 3-yr jail, Rs 1 cr fine

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

The Indian government has introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to ban online games played with money, aiming to curb addiction, money laundering, and financial fraud. The bill also targets advertisements and financial transactions related to such games.

Maha govt to set up Rs 10 cr media centre to monitor news content

Maha govt to set up Rs 10 cr media centre to monitor news content

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

If there is a misleading news, it will be clarified in real-time. If there is a negative news, clarification will be given expeditiously, it said.

I-T minister fact-checks Zuckerberg on Lok Sabha poll results

I-T minister fact-checks Zuckerberg on Lok Sabha poll results

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw countered Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg on Monday on his claim that after the COVID-19 pandemic, most incumbent governments, including the one in India, lost elections in 2024, asserting that his statement was 'factually incorrect'.

TV channels will have to show 30-minute public interest broadcast daily

TV channels will have to show 30-minute public interest broadcast daily

Rediff.com9 Nov 2022

In a bid to pitch India as an uplinking hub, the government on Tuesday announced relaxation in guidelines for compliance for television channels and also made a 30-minute daily public interest broadcast mandatory, mainly for entertainment channels.

Govt examines need for law to regulate digital content

Govt examines need for law to regulate digital content

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry is examining the existing statutory provisions and the need for a new legal framework to regulate 'harmful' content amid complaints of 'obscenity and violence' being shown on digital platforms.

Can Meta, Google Curb Illegal Gambling?

Can Meta, Google Curb Illegal Gambling?

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

The scale of illegal gambling and betting in India is staggering, with 1.6 billion visits recorded between October and December 2024 across four analysed platforms -- Parimatch, Stake, 1xBet, and Battery Bet.

News broadcasters demand exemption from new IT rules

News broadcasters demand exemption from new IT rules

Rediff.com27 May 2021

The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) Thursday urged the government to 'exempt and exclude' the traditional television news media and its extended presence on the digital news platforms from the ambit of the IT Rules 2021, saying it is already 'sufficiently regulated' by various statutes, laws, guidelines, codes and regulations.

Pakistan bans IPL broadcast

Pakistan bans IPL broadcast

Rediff.com2 Apr 2019

He said the move was taken by the Cabinet because India left no opportunity to harm Pakistan's cricket.

Coldplay, Diljit tickets: ED lodges money laundering case

Coldplay, Diljit tickets: ED lodges money laundering case

Rediff.com26 Oct 2024

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday said it has detected alleged irregularities after it conducted raids in a money laundering case to probe 'black marketing' of tickets for two 'highly anticipated' music concerts by British rock band Coldplay and actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh.

SC seeks govt's reply on plea seeking to regulate media

SC seeks govt's reply on plea seeking to regulate media

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

Besides the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, a bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian also issued notices to the News Broadcasters Association, the News Broadcasting Standards Authority of India and the Press Council of India on the PIL filed by Delhi-based lawyer Reepak Kansal.

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

45 specialists to join Modi govt in major lateral entry push

Rediff.com17 Aug 2024

Forty-five specialists will soon be joining key posts of joint secretaries, directors and deputy secretaries in different central ministries as part of the Modi government's ambitious plan to infuse fresh talent to further improve ease of governance.

Didn't leak information about Sushant case: CBI to HC

Didn't leak information about Sushant case: CBI to HC

Rediff.com23 Oct 2020

Hearing PILs about "media trial" in the case, the court remarked that the media has become "polarised".

New draft rules allow audit of newspaper premises, with conditions

New draft rules allow audit of newspaper premises, with conditions

Rediff.com5 Jan 2024

The Press Registrar can carry out a physical inspection of the business premises of a periodical if the publisher fails to furnish an annual statement regularly or if a desk audit recommends such action due to "exceptional circumstances", according to the draft Press and Registration of Periodicals Rules 2024.

Centre notifies fact check unit a day before SC hearing

Centre notifies fact check unit a day before SC hearing

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

The notification came days after the Bombay high court declined to restrain the Centre from notifying the unit. The petition was filed by stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra and the Editors Guild of India.

Govt to monitor content broadcast on FM radio stations

Govt to monitor content broadcast on FM radio stations

Rediff.com22 Oct 2012

The government is planning to set up a facility that will monitor the programme content that is broadcast on FM Radio stations during the 12th five year plan.

Govt spent Rs 168.8 cr on advertisements so far this fiscal

Govt spent Rs 168.8 cr on advertisements so far this fiscal

Rediff.com13 Dec 2022

Thakur said no expenditure was incurred on advertisements in foreign media through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Tech, startup groups push back against OTT licensing

Tech, startup groups push back against OTT licensing

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

Tech and startup industry bodies have again pushed back against calls by telecom operators to bring over-the-top (OTT) services under a licensing regime similar to telcos, and open them up to taxation. Ahead of public consultations on the issue later this week, the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), Nasscom and the US India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), among others, have written to the government arguing against such efforts.

Despite Losing Murugan Becomes Minister

Despite Losing Murugan Becomes Minister

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

FHe is the only one among 17 ministers from the outgoing council of ministers who lost the Lok Sabha polls to be reappointed minister.

I&B holds meet to discuss Big Tech revenue sharing

I&B holds meet to discuss Big Tech revenue sharing

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

The ministry of information and broadcasting (I&B) on Wednesday held an inter-ministerial meeting with various departments to discuss issues regarding revenue sharing between Big Tech companies and digital news publishers, according to sources. The meeting - chaired by I&B Secretary Sanjay Jaju - invited senior officials from the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA), Competition Commission of India (CCI), ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) and departments of promotion of industry and internal trade, legal affairs and consumer affairs.

Govt spent over Rs 3,339 cr on ads in 5 years: Thakur

Govt spent over Rs 3,339 cr on ads in 5 years: Thakur

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

The expenditure was incurred by the government through the Central Bureau of Communication, Thakur said.

That's news, HC tells Mahua Moitra on media leak; to pass order on Friday

That's news, HC tells Mahua Moitra on media leak; to pass order on Friday

Rediff.com22 Feb 2024

The senior counsel appearing for the former MP claimed she was being "hounded", and information on issuance of summons to her by the agency was published by the media even before she received it.

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Modi 3.0 mantris off to quick start, priority for 100-day action plan

Rediff.com11 Jun 2024

Signalling both change and continuity, India's new government, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term, got into work gear on Tuesday with cabinet ministers and ministers of state filing into their respective offices to assume charge.

What Smriti, Anurag Thakur said after omission from Modi 3.0

What Smriti, Anurag Thakur said after omission from Modi 3.0

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Rajeev Chandrasekhar said in a post on X that his 18-year-long stint in public service has come to an end.

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Full list: Modi's New Ministers And Their Portfolios

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Here is the complete list of ministers in Modi 3.0 and their portfolios: